Realized we've instituted a few 'soft' rules over the last couple of years, so it's time to update the rules document. None of these should come as any surprise to anyone, as we've been doing them already. But here goes...

* Split hat

If a host has more than one area with games, a split hat may be used to prevent all randomly selected machines from being in the same physical space. The number of machines drawn for each area should be proportional to the number of games available in each area. Alternate machines will be drawn from the entire pool of machines available, regardless of area. Using a split hat is not required but encouraged if appropriate.

Example 1: Bill has two play areas, upstairs and downstairs with equal numbers of machines. In such a case, the machines upstairs shall be thrown into the hat and three machines drawn. The hat is then emptied, the machines from downstairs are placed in the hat, and three more machines drawn.

Example 2: Bill's upstairs area has twice as many machines as his downstairs area. Four machines would be drawn from the upstairs hat while two machines would be drawn from the downstairs hat.

* Host's choice

If a host wishes, (s)he may designate a game as the host's choice for the evening. That machine is to be treated as if it was drawn as the first machine out of the hat (or split hat, if applicable).

* Game diversity

If a game has been played that season for the majority of rounds at a previous host's meeting, that game shall be removed from the hat. This rule shall be waived if this removal would cause that host not to have enough machines to host.

Jim and Bill both own Jackbot and Breakshot machines.

Example 1: Jim hosts, Jackbot is chosen and is played throughout the night. When Bill hosts, Jackbot is removed from the hat and may not be drawn.

Example 2: Jim hosts, Jackbot is chosen and breaks after two rounds of play. Jackbot is replaced with Breakshot. When Bill hosts, Breakshot is removed from the hat but Jackbot is still eligible.